WASHINGTON D.C. – Thousands of South Sudanese nationals living in the United States are facing an uncertain future after Washington announced the termination of their Temporary Protected Status (TPS), a program that has allowed them to live and work legally in the country for more than a decade.
The decision, published in the Federal Register obtained by Sudans Post on November 6, 2025, by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), takes effect 60 days after publication, marking the official end of protections for about 232 South Sudanese beneficiaries and dozens of pending applicants.
The move represents a major shift in U.S. immigration policy under President Donald Trump’s second administration, which has prioritized tighter border controls and the rollback of humanitarian relief programs.
Now, South Sudanese nationals must decide what comes next — whether to seek other legal avenues to remain in the U.S. or prepare for forced return to a country still struggling to recover from years of civil war.
Understanding TPS and its origins
Temporary Protected Status is a humanitarian measure in U.S. immigration law that allows nationals from countries facing armed conflict, natural disasters, or extraordinary conditions to live and work in the United States temporarily.
South Sudan first received TPS designation in October 2011, just months after gaining independence, as political turmoil and widespread violence swept through the new nation. Since then, the designation has been extended or redesignated multiple times—in 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2022, and 2023—based on findings of ongoing conflict and unsafe conditions.
But following its latest review, DHS—under Secretary Kristi Noem—concluded that South Sudan “no longer continues to meet the conditions” for the designation, citing improved security, governance, and infrastructure.
Why the U.S. government terminated TPS
In the 30-page Federal Register notice, DHS said it reached its decision after consultations with other U.S. agencies and an assessment of “current country conditions.” The department concluded that South Sudan no longer faces an ongoing armed conflict that poses a serious threat to returning nationals.
While acknowledging continued intercommunal clashes, border tensions, and ethnic polarization, DHS said the country has avoided a return to all-out civil war. It also highlighted what it described as “improvements in displacement trends, infrastructure, and governance”, supported by the international community.
Among the cited examples were the return of more than 500,000 South Sudanese refugees since the 2018 peace deal, a $150 million World Bank resilience program targeting local governance and disaster risk management, and a $9 million national fiber optic project designed to strengthen the country’s digital infrastructure.
The agency also invoked “national interest” considerations, arguing that allowing South Sudanese nationals to remain in the United States is inconsistent with U.S. foreign policy and immigration objectives. This clearly forms the actual basis of the decision to end the protected status.
The “national interest” clause played a decisive role in the termination. DHS argued that TPS for South Sudan sends “implicit foreign policy messages” that no longer align with Washington’s current diplomatic approach.
Officials pointed to recent cooperation between the two countries — including Juba’s acceptance of deported nationals and its collaboration on third-country removals — as evidence that South Sudan is ready to reintegrate its citizens.
The agency also referenced President Trump’s Executive Order 14159, which calls for the strict enforcement of immigration laws and a reassessment of all humanitarian programs to ensure they remain “limited in scope and consistent with national security interests.” DHS said it considered some cases of “fraud, public safety, and national security concerns” among TPS holders as part of its review.
Do the U.S. claims reflect reality in South Sudan?
While Washington portrays South Sudan as stable enough to receive returnees, the reality remains far more complicated.
Although the 2018 peace agreement brought a fragile calm, localized violence, political instability, and a worsening humanitarian crisis persist. The United Nations estimates that 7.5 million people are facing crisis-level food insecurity, and nearly 2 million remain displaced within the country.
Floods, sporadic armed clashes, and the slow pace of implementing peace provisions continue to undermine recovery. Observers note that security forces remain fragmented, justice institutions weak, and elections — originally slated years ago — are still uncertain.
On its website, the U.S. Embassy in Juba placed South Sudan on Level 4 under the “Do Not Travel” category, citing ongoing armed conflict including fighting between various political and ethnic groups, noting that “Weapons are readily available to the population. In addition, cattle raids occur throughout the country and often lead to violence.”
It also warns of prevalent “Violent crime, such as carjackings, shootings, ambushes, assaults, robberies, and kidnappings are common throughout South Sudan, including Juba”, alleging that “Foreign nationals have been the victims of rape, sexual assault, armed robberies, and other violent crimes.” This makes contradictory the argument that South Sudan is ready to reintegrate its citizens.
What the termination means for South Sudanese nationals
With the termination effective in early 2026, South Sudanese under TPS have 60 days to transition out of the program. Their employment authorization documents will remain valid during that period but expire afterward.
Once the grace period ends, beneficiaries must secure another form of legal status—such as asylum, student, or family visas—or face deportation. Many, however, have lived in the U.S. for more than a decade and have limited options to adjust their immigration status.
Legal challenges are likely, but the TPS statute bars judicial review of such terminations, leaving little room for reversal.
Broader implications for South Sudan
The end of TPS carries significant implications for South Sudan’s economy and diplomacy.
Remittances from the diaspora have long served as a lifeline for families and the struggling economy. Deportations or voluntary returns could reduce those inflows, deepening financial hardship at the household level.
Diplomatically, the decision signals a shift in how Washington views Juba — not as a nation in crisis, but as one capable of stability and reintegration.
